Kukla's Korner Hockey

No one is saying it on the record but the Ducks still want to add another defenseman of some significance and their prime target as of now would be Vancouver’s Kevin Bieksa.

Let’s get this straight. Bieksa would not be the cure-all to a unit whose current top two performers are Lubomir Visnovsky and James Wisniewski, who’s still unsigned and likely won’t be before his Aug. 3 arbitration hearing given the sizable difference between the defenseman and the club.

But there are advantages to acquiring Bieksa, who’s clearly on the trade market after the Canucks added veterans Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis. He’s 29 and relatively affordable with $3.5 million owed this season on an expiring contract. He’s also productive when healthy as he has twice put up 40-point seasons….

If the Ducks are unable to land Bieksa, would they consider taking a flier on oft-injured, big-salaried Sheldon Souray if they can get Edmonton to take streaky, big-salaried Jason Blake?